scholarly journals P119: Health care utilization by patients presenting to the emergency department with mental health complaints

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S118
Author(s):  
C. Thompson ◽  
S.L. McLeod ◽  
A. Sandre ◽  
B. Borgundvaag
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Mental Health Resource

Introduction: Emergency department (ED) visits for mental health and addiction related complaints are common and appear to be increasing. It is believed these patients come to the ED requiring urgent assessment either because they do not have a primary care or psychiatric healthcare provider or access to their provider is not available in a timely fashion. The objective of this study was to describe healthcare utilization in the previous 12 months by patients presenting to the ED with a mental health complaint. Methods: Between April-November 2016, a convenience sample of adult (≥18 years) patients presenting to an academic ED (annual census 65,000) with a mental health and/or addictions complaint were invited to complete a paper-based survey to determine their usage of ten different mental healthcare resources over the previous 12 months. The questionnaire was pilot-tested and peer-reviewed for feasibility and comprehension. Results: Of the 134 patients who completed the survey, mean (SD) age was 37.9 (15.7) years and 64 (47.8%) were male. Only 7 (5.2%) patients did not access any mental health resource in the previous 12 months, and the most commonly accessed resource was hospital EDs (102, 76.1%), with 24 (23.5%) of these patients using the ED at least 6 times. Patients also accessed a variety of other mental health resources, with 28 (20.9%) seeing their family physician, 20 (14.9%) seeing their psychiatrist/psychologist, and 61 (45.5%) seeing both in the previous 12 months. Only 6 (5.9%) patients used the ED exclusively for a mental health related complaint. By comparison, respondents accessed other specific mental health resources such as crisis centres (19, 14.2%), helplines (34, 25.4%), and peer-support groups (24, 17.9%) less often. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the ED is the most commonly used mental health resource for this population. However, these patients also frequently access family physicians and psychiatrists/psychologists, with community resources such as crisis centres, helplines, and peer-support being used less often. This suggests that lack of timely access to other mental health resources may be the primary motivation for accessing the ED.

Using peer support to strengthen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Suresh ◽  
Armaghan Alam ◽  
Zoe Karkossa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Anxiety Depression

BACKGROUND The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on society’s overall mental health with a notable effect on healthcare providers. To manage this global crisis, governments have had to implement numerous measures such mandated lockdowns and physical distancing to minimize the risk of overloading healthcare systems. Altogether, these measures have contributed to higher levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other metrics indicating worsening mental health. Unfortunately, the availability of crucial mental health resources and support remains scarce during this time as services attempt to transition to an effective online delivery model. Peer support, which is peer-to-peer provided social and emotional support, is an underutilized and effective mental health resource that is easily delivered/accessed in-person by members within a social distancing bubble, or virtually across different bubbles. OBJECTIVE This review aims to summarize the toll that this pandemic has had on society’s mental health as found in peer-reviewed literature from October 2019 to March 2021, as well as suggest the utility of peer support to address these needs. Lastly, we provide strategies to effectively deliver peer support so that members of the community can better support one another during these unprecedented times. METHODS References for this review were chosen through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published between October 2019 and March 2021 that used the terms: “coronavirus”, “COVID-19”, “mental health”, “anxiety”, “depression”, “isolation”, “mental health resources”, “peer support”, “online mental health resources”, and “healthcare workers”. Articles resulting from these searches and relevant references cited in those articles were reviewed. Articles published in English, French and Italian were included. RESULTS As stated in peer-reviewed literature, this pandemic has ubiquitously worsened the mental health of populations across the world, which is further exacerbated by extended periods of lockdown. Peer support has been demonstrated to yield positive effects on the mental health of a wide variety of recipients, and it can be provided through numerous accessible mediums such as web/mobile applications, video-conferencing software, workshops, telephone services, and student programs. CONCLUSIONS The provision of peer support can be very beneficial for improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and may be an effective tool should similar events arise in the future. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals Socio-economic disadvantage and resource distribution for mental health care; a model proposal and example application for Victoria, Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Meadows ◽  
Frances Shawyer ◽  
Shrinkhala Dawadi ◽  
Brett Inder ◽  
Joanne Enticott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Illustrative Application

The attached pre-print (accepted manuscript ) paper describes an application of available epidemiological evidence in guiding the adjustment of mental health resources to areas. Described with an illustrative application in Victoria, Australia. We have also provided our research data as a supplementary spreadsheet to showcase our analytic approach (the spreadsheet cam also easily be adapted to calculate mental health resource adjustments in other states and territories, or nationally).

scholarly journals Socio-economic disadvantage and resource distribution for mental health care; a model proposal and example application for Victoria, Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Meadows ◽  
Frances Shawyer ◽  
Shrinkhala Dawadi ◽  
Brett Inder ◽  
Joanne Enticott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Illustrative Application

The attached pre-print (working paper) paper describes an application of available epidemiological evidence in guiding the adjustment of mental health resources to areas. Described with an illustrative application in Victoria, Australia. We have also provided our research data as a supplementary spreadsheet to showcase our analytic approach (the spreadsheet cam also easily be adapted to calculate mental health resource adjustments in other states and territories, or nationally).

scholarly journals Socio-economic disadvantage and resource distribution for mental health care; a model proposal and example application for Victoria, Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Meadows ◽  
Frances Shawyer ◽  
Shrinkhala Dawadi ◽  
Brett Inder ◽  
Joanne Enticott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Illustrative Application

The attached pre-print (accepted manuscript ) paper describes an application of available epidemiological evidence in guiding the adjustment of mental health resources to areas. Described with an illustrative application in Victoria, Australia. We have also provided our research data as a supplementary spreadsheet to showcase our analytic approach (the spreadsheet cam also easily be adapted to calculate mental health resource adjustments in other states and territories, or nationally).

scholarly journals Predictors of Psychological Distress and Mental Health Resource Utilization among Employees in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ◽  
Siew Li Ng ◽  
Serena In ◽  
Lei Hum Wee ◽  
Ching Sin Siau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Comorbid Conditions ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Resource

We sought to examine predictors of psychological distress among employees as well as the level of awareness and usage of available mental health resources by employees through their own organizations. The Malaysian Healthiest Workplace survey cross-sectional dataset was used to explore the association between psychological distress, a range of health conditions, as well as mental health resource awareness and usage in a sample of 11,356 working Malaysian adults. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of high psychological distress. Comorbid illnesses that were associated with psychological distress were mental illness (OR 6.7, 95% CI 4.39–10.14, p = 0.001), heart conditions (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.18–3.99, p = 0.012), migraines (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.33–1.90, p = 0.001), bronchial asthma (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.85, p = 0.006), and hypertension (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.07–1.88, p = 0.016) compared to individuals with no comorbid conditions. A total of 14 out of 17 comorbid medical illnesses were associated with elevated levels of psychological distress among employees. Awareness and usage of support services and resources for mental health were associated with lower psychological distress. These findings extend the literature by providing further evidence on the link between chronic illness, occupational type, as well as awareness and use of mental health resources by psychological distress status.

scholarly journals Socio-economic disadvantage and resource distribution for mental health care; a model proposal and example application for Victoria, Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Meadows ◽  
Frances Shawyer ◽  
Shrinkhala Dawadi ◽  
Brett Inder ◽  
Joanne Enticott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Illustrative Application

The attached pre-print (accepted manuscript ) paper describes an application of available epidemiological evidence in guiding the adjustment of mental health resources to areas. Described with an illustrative application in Victoria, Australia. We have also provided our research data as a supplementary spreadsheet to showcase our analytic approach (the spreadsheet cam also easily be adapted to calculate mental health resource adjustments in other states and territories, or nationally).

scholarly journals Socio-economic disadvantage and resource distribution for mental health care; a model proposal and example application for Victoria, Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Meadows ◽  
Frances Shawyer ◽  
Shrinkhala Dawadi ◽  
Brett Inder ◽  
Joanne Enticott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Health Resource ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Illustrative Application

The attached pre-print (working paper) paper describes an application of available epidemiological evidence in guiding the adjustment of mental health resources to areas. Described with an illustrative application in Victoria, Australia. We have also provided our research data as a supplementary spreadsheet to showcase our analytic approach (the spreadsheet cam also easily be adapted to calculate mental health resource adjustments in other states and territories, or nationally).

scholarly journals Using Peer Support to Strengthen Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Suresh ◽  
Armaghan Alam ◽  
Zoe Karkossa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Mental Health Resource ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on society's overall mental health. Measures such as mandated lockdowns and physical distancing have contributed to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and other metrics indicating worsening mental health. Peer support, which is peer-to-peer provided social and emotional support, is an underutilized and effective mental health resource that can potentially be used to ameliorate mental health during these times.Objective: This review aims to summarize the toll that this pandemic has had on society's mental health as found in peer-reviewed literature from October 2019 to March 2021, as well as suggest the utility of peer support to address these needs.Methods: References for this review were chosen through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published between October 2019 and March 2021 that used the terms: “coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” “mental health,” “anxiety,” “depression,” “isolation,” “mental health resources,” “peer support,” “online mental health resources,” and “healthcare workers.” Articles resulting from these searches and relevant references cited in those articles were reviewed. Articles published in English, French and Italian were included.Results: This pandemic has ubiquitously worsened the mental health of populations across the world. Peer support has been demonstrated to yield generally positive effects on the mental health of a wide variety of recipients, and it can be provided through numerous accessible mediums.Conclusions: Peer support can overall be beneficial for improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and may be an effective tool should similar events arise in the future, although the presence of a few conflicting studies suggests the need for additional research.

scholarly journals Combining online and offline peer support groups in mental health care: A qualitative study of service users� experiences (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Strand ◽  
Deede Gammon ◽  
Lillian Sofie Eng ◽  
Cornelia Ruland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Individual Interviews

BACKGROUND Peer support groups for people with long-term mental health problems are at the heart of recovery-oriented approaches in mental health care. When conducted face-to-face (offline) or on the Internet (online), peer support groups have proven to have differing strengths and weaknesses. Little is known about the benefits and challenges of combining the two formats. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to gain insights into the benefits and challenges of combining online and offline peer support groups facilitated through an Internet intervention designed to support recovery processes. METHODS In this exploratory and descriptive study, an e-recovery portal called ReConnect was used by service users in two mental health communities in Norway for 6-12 months. The portal included an online peer support forum which also facilitated participation in local in-person ReConnect-cafés. Both formats of peer support were facilitated by an employed service user consultant with lived experience of mental health problems and with training in peer support. Qualitative data about service users’ experiences of using the portal were collected through focus groups and individual interviews and inductively analyzed thematically with focus on benefits and challenges of peer support online and offline. RESULTS A total of 14 service users 22-63 years of age with various diagnoses, receiving services at both primary and specialist levels of mental health care participated in three focus groups and 10 individual interviews. Two main themes were identified in the analysis: 1) balancing anonymity and openness, and 2) enabling connectedness. These themes are further illustrated with the subthemes: i) dilemmas of anonymity and confidentiality, ii) towards self-disclosure and openness, iii) new friendships, and iv) networks in the local community. Three of the subthemes mainly describe benefits. Challenges were more implicit and cut across the subthemes. Identified challenges were linked to transitions from anonymity to revealing one’s identity, how to protect confidentiality, or to participation at face-to-face meetings in the local community. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that online peer support groups and offline meetings complement each other, and the combination is mainly beneficial to users. The identified benefits appeared to arise from participants’ options of one format or the other, or that they could combine formats in ways that suited their individual values and comfort zones. We also identified challenges related to combination of formats, and both formats require appropriate facilitation of peer support. Combining online formats that enable anonymity, a non-judgmental atmosphere, and 24/7 accessibility regardless of location, with offline formats that foster local, in-person community ties, is a promising concept for facilitating recovery-oriented care, and warrants continued research.

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